This page is for PSA members covered by the ACC General Staff Collective . On this page, you’ll find the latest information about the strike, and FAQs. This this page is not for members covered by the proposed new Team Leaders and Managers Collective Agreement.
WEATHER UPDATE: Your strike is still going ahead, but some rallies will be cancelled or move venues because of strong weather warnings.
Click the link below to jump to our table of updated rally details.
If your local rally is cancelled, you should still undertake your strike action.
Table of rally details.
We are striking on Thursday 23 October You have voted overwhelmingly to reject ACC’s latest offer and to fully withdraw your labour in support of your claim for a fair offer to settle your collective agreement.
The strike is on Thursday 23 October and will run from 6am to 8pm. The actual hours you will be striking will be your normal rostered hours for Thursday 23 October.
This will tell the employer how deeply unpopular the revised Remote (Hybrid) Working Policy is. The poor culture and the high turnover are indicators that ACC has a deep problem. It will also send a powerful message to the Government, whose failure to adequately fund public services and misguided attempts to wind back flexible working arrangements in the State Sector and public service have a direct bearing on ACC’s stance.
We will not be standing alone. On Thursday 23 October, other PSA members and unions representing nurses and teachers will be striking in support of their own bargaining.
Picket and rally information Follow this link for details of pickets and rallies for the day of the strike.
Stronger Together – invite colleagues to join PSA It is more important than ever that we stand united and fight for a fully funded public health service. If you know of colleagues who are not yet members, invite them to join by sharing this link:
psa.org.nz/join
FAQs If these FAQs don’t answer your question, contact your local delegate, your PSA organiser, or Te Roopu Tohutohu Manaaki (free phone 0508 367 772).
Who is covered by the vote to strike?
The vote to strike affects members covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation Te Kaporeihana Awhina Hunga Whara and Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Collective Employment Agreement 1 June 2024 - 31 March 2025 (ACC PSA General Collective Agreement).
What strike action have members voted to take?
PSA members covered by theACC PSA General Collective Agreement have voted by an overwhelming majority to take strike action. This means undertaking a complete withdrawal of labour from 6am to 8pm on Thursday 23 October 2025. You will only be deducted pay for the hours you usually work.
Whose responsibility is it to tell the employer that we are on strike?
The PSA will notify the employer of the strike. Once ACC has been notified, you should not be approached by the employer to ask if you are striking. Please let us know if you hear of this taking place.
Who can strike?
Only PSA members who are covered by the ACC PSA General Collective Agreement bargaining can lawfully take this strike action.
I joined the PSA after the employer has been notified of the strike; can I take part in the 23 October strike action?
No. Only those workers who were members of the PSA prior to when we issue the notice of strike action to the employer can take part in the Thursday 23 October strike action.
Can I be disciplined for striking lawfully?
No. Your right to strike is enshrined in law and is a fundamental right of workers during collective bargaining. You cannot be disciplined or discriminated against for exercising your legal right to strike. An employer cannot put pressure on you not to strike. If any of these things happen, contact your local organiser or Te Roopu Tohutohu Manaaki (free phone 0508 367 772).
Will I lose pay?
Yes. Your employer will almost certainly choose to deduct pay from your salary. The amount deducted should only reflect the amount of time you were on strike when you would otherwise be working.
Do I need to supply my name to my employer to inform them I’m on strike?
No. It is for the employer to determine how it intends to monitor the strike and deduct pay. However, any reasonable instruction from the employer should be followed. If, for example, you were formally requested to advise whether or not you were on strike, you should answer this question.
Can the employer direct me to make up lost time?
No. You cannot be required to make up the time. Making up for the lost time would undermine the impacts of the strike.
What about the pressure to complete my work?
If you catch up on outstanding work in your own time, it will defeat the purpose of taking action in the first place. A key point of the action is to disrupt work and demonstrate just how much they need the expertise and hard work of their workforce to get the work done.
Can the employer use someone else to do my work?
Non-members can be asked to cover the work of striking colleagues, but if it is not work they normally do or not within their scope of practise, they can refuse. That is how they can support your strike.
An employer cannot employ new staff to do the work of striking employees unless the work is necessary for health and safety reasons.
Do I have to go on strike?
All PSA members covered by bargaining for the ACC PSA General Collective Agreement are expected to support the industrial action regardless how they voted. It is expected that members will respect the principle of collective responsibility and support the democratic decision of the majority by taking part in the strike. We are stronger together.
What if I'm working from home?
PSA members covered by the ACC collective bargaining who are working from home on Thursday October 23 are expected participate in the strike. You should not work during the period of the strike: 6am to 8pm on Thursday 232 October.
If you are able, please attend one of the pickets organised for Thursday 23 October.
What if I'm sick?
If you are sick, the principles of your sick leave provisions continue to apply, which means you can take sick leave if you or a dependent are genuinely sick.
What happens if my manager asks me to sign something or tell them if I am going on strike?
Your manager should not be asking you individually if you are striking. It is up to the union to give notice of a strike and to decide with the employer for life preserving services and we have done that. Please refer your manager to your organiser.
Who do I talk to if I feel threatened or need advice?
You should contact your local delegate, Te Roopu Tohutohu Manaaki (free phone 0508 367 772) or your PSA organiser.
Can I talk to the media?
We recommend that if you are approached by the media, refer them to your PSA delegate or organiser, who are prepared to speak as PSA representatives. We also have delegates who have been media trained.
What happens next?
Although members have voted to take strike action, we remain open to further bargaining in an attempt to settle this dispute. We urge ACC to listen to workers and put forward a viable offer.
If the dispute remains unresolved then we will ballot for further industrial action. We will discuss with you and other members in your workplace what this industrial action may look like. We will keep you updated.
Where can I find out more about the strikes on 23 October
